tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66110309966946242092024-03-19T00:49:29.821-07:00LaVere Media BlogThis is the official blog for LaVere Media, a full-service video and photography studio serving the Southern Tier Region of Upstate NY, including Elmira, Corning, Horseheads, Ithaca and points beyond. The blog is written by Elmira photographer and videographer Rich LaVere.LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-15463390194717832372011-05-12T10:05:00.000-07:002011-05-13T14:39:46.601-07:00It's Not The Wedding Book Your Grandparents Had<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Wedding books are arriving. And wow, how things have changed.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br />Wedding albums used to be rather plain and boring, but now there are a range of choices and options available, and sometimes those choices can be overwhelming. <a href="http://www.laveremedia.com/">LaVere Media</a> decided to take the "simple yet elegant" route, and use a company called "<a href="http://www.kissweddingbooks.com/">KISS Wedding Books</a>". We couldn't be happier.
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<br />First, the books arrive extremely well-packaged with lots of TLC given to every detail. Instead of a cardboard box, the book is packaged in a beautiful cloth sleeve:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFlQb5XtJ1Nxn0ZlF2B63Sf8qjkAOaxgRb6zj4IiUP6ES8sJNS5RE-uw9krTP7QjVK3bhXj_aQ6i2B3zFjXrRduICL6iG32XtDL0cmeMJNvJnWpuK5GSpEMRPsznAjWLhavJy09s-dciA/s1600/IMG_4964.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}">
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<br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWl4QK4QG61MY5cBfkdFgnj1Wj9rGa71EnENB1-_Omj2D57inGDP42VaQx1p2a3XDDkERfct4Fp-Tq0s-M4qRc9Y_GyHBLX1VHlf10q_24PwKbY_nvz7dRpzKB3jcNVrArALeico2VHXD/s400/IMG_4964.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605881283915879730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4YmO079Cysc0Pti1jhNDslT2izwUFJ_wV75jRJFRWztaWpzKVb1boSTNcAPbPdU3LpvGuZ-QnsF78Mo978JaXlMyPhQQtPu1mp95hgXO-qoNtV1veezuzdfYUUfRXliD5LyXi4E5HE_G/s400/IMG_4967.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605880334191904178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span">The binding is incredible; we've had a sample book that has been to countless wedding shows, handled by hundreds of people, even loaned out for potential customers to take home, and it still looks as good as new. These folks do amazing work:</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7TWSg8nZYMwanLHNaVVPPKVTOtNR2uaoISjyVLZEeMKM6kIRQYHB5udnu8koYNKO8eorYMYHpVS_MhlKOrIALTiOqi48s36mFFbCU_2kjVN6Whkw1wkVkF5ItHTtZCrPAJEa8vumh06Q/s1600/IMG_4968+copy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7TWSg8nZYMwanLHNaVVPPKVTOtNR2uaoISjyVLZEeMKM6kIRQYHB5udnu8koYNKO8eorYMYHpVS_MhlKOrIALTiOqi48s36mFFbCU_2kjVN6Whkw1wkVkF5ItHTtZCrPAJEa8vumh06Q/s400/IMG_4968+copy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605880337161747330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a>
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<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAXqvsfbbFK2f3sEF_Mf8TcBPAN9hI1O69Z6eSC83nATOvXu2qcq1CCbeNbZdjSFjElx2t3QuvKQHxDodwVwFIPAjx9_LgelA1n7O2o-Q_ysPdV8gn1H0cBb_2a_z6ajbLkpydN4xIMzl/s400/IMG_4969.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605880343453149234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span">The pages are thick, with a heavy substrate. The books are available in a variety of sizes and colors; our bride chose a 10" book with a black leather cover. The leather is smooth and supple, and the book feels substantive when you hold it.
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<br />What we really like about these books is that the two-page "spreads" are printed without a visible seam in the middle; the printing goes across the two pages. Again, our sample book looks as good as the day it arrived; there's simply no breakage across the seam. You almost have to see it to believe it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6SAKlqmV5IDUN5Lz8PeixSnugXm2sisz5zHUOnp7iC35GXHnCqvUBIZXlWToy5mHPkNa1g8hMnbn5GNYuXHumNCPjXOrFHyTFsJZQDwNKXZlX2yTlLRHijRXofMsDY1ucunnJS22_sRI/s400/IMG_4977.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605880331535934434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQN6gCQ4k8E0ks109NW2Sn_bsYQfQXH_3_BvAzdPAnacF80CTkUG9ggVEirqFxyR1c3SJ4JNsZ3JCWer18Et96Tlh4C0Ufzb27f6gKmn-f-EkLwFw8VQe4NjMFKSUfBilT54acuEJUqdbm/s400/IMG_4972.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605880345526009794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Wedding books like this are available with any photography package purchased from LaVere Media, and are included without extra charge in our deluxe wedding package. We do all our own layout and design, using photos you choose from the proofs you receive with your package. We also provide you with a PDF file for review before we send the book off to print to ensure that you're getting exactly what you want with no surprises</span><span class="Apple-style-span">.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span">These books aren't just for brides—we can assemble them for senior photos, pets...we can even scan your parent's wedding album and put it together in a stunning presentation book that can be handed down for a whole new generation. The possibilities are endless!</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Seeing the looks on the faces of our customers when they view their book is one of the best parts of our job. We can't wait to put one together for you.</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHwU3BaMEU4_zvTUHBJC3tWxxZbB0kSg0ZL_TGm1_e9G5PQi2fHX-zUespfiRyWGiJlf5YpiyIRJCp_0xHukFMpclOoYAqLJLumPC4EAVI6pIt37V9aWCkmH-Gr61JmEhXhy1N8AYfpOj/s400/IMG_4973.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605885173370823154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></span></div></div></div>LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-25722880457134566542011-04-04T13:26:00.000-07:002011-04-04T14:24:54.582-07:00Big Box WeddingsIt was the strangest job posting I've seen yet.<br /><br />A national bridal chain was advertising for photographers and videographers. They specify the equipment the video or photo professional needs, they book the wedding, and the shooter is responsible for providing them with the raw materials. Get in, shoot, get out, and pass your raw materials on to some unknown assembly-line "artist" in an undisclosed location, who hands it off to the big box bridal store for their client. I guess after practically decimating the privately-owned bridal shops that used to be common in communities all across the country, the big boys are finally going after the last remaining personalized service offered for weddings: your photographer and videographer.<br /><br />I can't even begin to tell you why I think this is a huge mistake. But I'm going to try anyway.<br /><br />Hiring a photographer and/or videographer for your wedding is not like buying a tuxedo, renting a limo, or any other service you'll book for your wedding. As I've pointed out on these pages before (and in countless conversations with brides over the past two decades), when the meal and cake are eaten, the guests have all gone home, the flowers have wilted, the dress is packed away, and the honeymoon is over, <span style="font-weight: bold;">you have two tangible reminders of your wedding day: your pictures and your video</span>.<br /><br />Your photography is not a service you should hand off to just anyone.<br /><br />Photography and video are personal. You'll spend more time with your photographer than anyone else on your wedding day, and yes, that includes the one you're marrying. By the time we arrive at a wedding, we've already spent hours consulting with our brides and grooms, we've attended the wedding rehearsal, we've met the families and wedding party...in short, we've developed a working relationship that helps ensure the best possible result. No one should meet their photographer on the day of the wedding.<br /><br />I've been solicited by companies taking this kind of approach before, and I've always turned them down. Part of the reason is because, philosophically, <span style="font-weight: bold;">I don't agree with their tactics</span>. It cheapens the relationship between the photographer and client, and turns photography and video into something it isn't: another commodity. I don't know many couples that would hire a band for their reception without hearing them first; why would you do it with your photographer or videographer?<br /><br />But I've also turned them down because "taking the picture" is only part of the process of creating a great memory. Any reputable photographer will tell you that as much time (usually more) is spent editing photos afterward, tweaking the digital image to bring out certain elements, fix bad reflections on glasses, or make any of a hundred other adjustments to make those images special. When photographers are hired by these "services", they hand off the digital files to some unknown assembly-line retoucher, who handles the creation of the final image. <span style="font-weight: bold;">That should be unacceptable to anyone who cares about their final product</span>.<br /><br />I once knew of a photographer that painstakingly airbrushed out someone's oxygen tube in all the formal photos, at the request of the bride AFTER the ceremony was over. That's the kind of personal service you're not going to get from some anonymous faceless conglomerate.<br /><br />It also bothered me greatly that the requirements of the big box store centered around the kind of equipment the photographer needed to have. I've seen amazing photographers work with very little gear, and I've seen shooters weighed down with so many lenses and accessories that they could barely move, and the end result wasn't worth the deposit the bride and groom paid, let alone the finished product. While I understand the importance of good quality equipment, I was dismayed to realize that (no pun intended) the gear was their primary focus.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The larger issue here is that weddings have become a huge industry</span>. Year after year, I see more and more people swarming after brides for a monetary piece of the wedding day pie. Granted, I'm part of the swarm. But believe me, there are easier and more lucrative ways to make a living. Anyone who shoots weddings for a living does it, at least in part, because they love what they do, love weddings, and enjoy the hands-on aspect of making a lifetime memory (see <a href="http://primaverastudios.com/blog/2011/why-does-good-wedding-photography-cost-what-it-does/">this blog post</a> from another photographer for an excellent writeup on this subject). It frankly sickens me to see something as important and personal as photography and video services reduced to the level of renting your shoes.<br /><br />Having said that, I've been faced with the phenomenon of the "out of town" bride who hires me sight-unseen for photography or video. But I also know that I spend a great deal of time consulting with those brides before the wedding on the phone, I make certain that they've seen my portfolio and know my style, and I do my best to make them comfortable with the work coming out of my studio. My name is attached to that final product; it's important to me that the work is of the highest caliber I'm capable of, and that the client is thrilled with the end result.<br /><br />Could I sign on with this company? Sure. Could I probably double or triple the number of weddings I work each year? Most likely. It would probably be very lucrative for me to work this way. The appeal is definitely there...no worries about scheduling multiple meetings with the clients, attending the rehearsal, working an all-day schedule (the big-box package limits the number of hours the shooter has to work), or any of the tedious and time-consuming post-production editing of photos and video. It has its appeal if, as a photographer or videographer, money is your only concern.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">But it cheapens the work</span>.<br /><br />Ultimately, that's the problem I have with what I call the "commoditization" of these services. Whenever I talk to a bride and groom, I tell them this: "<span style="font-style: italic;">I don't care if you hire me, or if you hire someone else. Obviously, I'd like you to hire me. But more importantly, I want you to hire someone whose style you like, whose personality meshes with yours, and with whom you feel comfortable. Yes, price is a consideration, but it's only ONE consideration. Your memories are too important to trust to just anyone.</span>"<br /><br />Please don't make that mistake.<br /><br /><br />/ Rich LaVere<br /> April 4, 2011LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-42032411274985374502010-08-30T16:23:00.000-07:002010-08-30T17:37:51.680-07:00Stop. Collaborate and Listen.Yes, today's post takes inspiration from the great bard. No, not Shakespeare...Vanilla Ice.<br /><br />No, I haven't lost my mind.<br /><br />This summer, I've been asked several times to work as an assistant photographer at weddings for other photographers in the area. It's a privilege and an honor to work with these folks, some of whom I've looked up to and emulated over the years.<br /><br />Working as an assistant photographer brings with it its own unique benefits and challenges. I've worked with a handful assistants over the years, but haven't had the opportunity until this season to do it myself. Here's what I've learned.<br /><br />Yes, the advice of Vanilla Ice is solid. Stop. Collaborate, and listen. Being an effective assistant means that, first and foremost, the principal photographer has the responsibility for directing the work that's being done. So here's what I do.<br /><br />First, I make a concerted effort to <span style="font-weight: bold;">stop</span> doing things "my way" and learn the ebb and flow of a different photographer. There's no way I can emulate his or her style; that would be an effort in futility, and that's not why I was hired in the first place. But what I strive to do is emulate their personal style. Some photographers are very subtle, quiet and passive. Others are more upbeat, involved and have an up-front style. The photographer's style is usually why they were hired in the first place.<br /><br />I'm there to <span style="font-weight: bold;">collaborate</span>. It's fun to work as an assistant, because a lot of the pressure is off my shoulders. I don't have to worry about shot lists, locations, timeframes, etc. I get to share ideas with the main photographer, work with him/her on different ways of shooting, and come up with ideas that may not have been possible otherwise. For instance, on one shoot I was able to photograph the bride and groom from a third-story hotel room with a long lens while the primary photographer worked with them on the ground. We came up with some great shots that wouldn't have been possible with a single camera.<br /><br />Most importantly, I'm there to <span style="font-weight: bold;">listen</span>. Listen to the needs of the photographer, the family, the venue. I'm always free to offer my own ideas, but I was hired to assist, not direct. I've learned more by listening and learning than I could ever have imagined.<br /><br />So there you have it. In the immortal words of the IceMan, Stop. Collaborate, and Listen. It's good advice.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >About the author: Rich LaVere is a videographer and photographer based in Elmira NY. It's not true that his personal motto is, "If there was a problem, yo I'll solve it."</span></span>LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-89194386018331504802010-05-21T07:30:00.000-07:002010-05-21T07:50:04.810-07:00Senior Portraits<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the past few days, we've had several calls from High School students and their parents asking if we shoot senior portraits. The answer is yes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">It's no secret that senior portraits are one of the biggest expenses facing a soon-to-be graduate. We've seen portrait packages that cost in excess of $300 to $400 and higher. Frankly, we think that's just ridiculous. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Additionally, many of the local school districts use out-of-town photographers, so your money doesn't stay local</span>. We generally advise students to use the school's photographer for the yearbook portrait, and come to us for what we call an "extended session".<br /><br />Our portrait packages include <span style="font-weight: bold;">an hour of unlimited photography</span>, either in our studio or at your location (for a nominal location fee). Our studio shoots can also include a number of local locations within walking distance of our Downtown Elmira location, with parks, "industrial" backgrounds, even the Chemung River. When you hire us, you "own" us for that hour. We don't put limits on wardrobe changes, locations, backgrounds, or the number of poses.<br /><br />In addition, we take the time to get to know you...what your interests are, what you like to do, what your hobbies are, etc. Then, we tailor our portrait packages so that <span style="font-weight: bold;">your photos are uniquely you</span>, not some cookie-cutter assembly-line photograph that looks like everyone else's.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Our portrait packages for seniors are the same as our standard portrait package...we don't mark up anything. Our package pricing is simple and affordable; w</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular;font-size:100%;" >e offer two simple photography packages that cover most situations, including portraits and pet photography:</span> <p style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Package One ($125):</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">• One-hour photo shoot<br /> • 4x6 proof book of all photos taken (includes a LaVere Media watermark)<br /> • No contractual limit on number of photos<br /> • Reprints available based on our pricing schedule below<br /> • Online web gallery for viewing and ordering</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Package Two ($200):</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">• One-hour photo shoot<br /> • 4x6 proof book of all photos taken—<b>no watermark</b><br /> • No contractual limit on number of photos<br /> • CD-ROM with high-resolution electronic files of all photos<br /> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">• Copyright release form (allowing you to get your own reprints at a lab of your choice)<br /> • Reprints available based on our pricing schedule below<br /> • Online web gallery for viewing and ordering</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Additional options with either package:<br /> </span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Location fee (within a 20-mile radius of Elmira): $50<br /> Travel outside a 20-mile radius of Elmira: .35/mile</span></p><p style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Reprints beyond the initial proof book are priced as follows:</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">4 x 6: $ 2.00<br /> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">5 x 7: $5.00<br /> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">8 x 10: $12.00<br /> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Wallet (4): $5.00<br /> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">11x14: $20.00<br /> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">16x20: $30.00<br /> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">20x30: $40.00</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Other sizes at quote. Other products such as books, calendars, etc. are also available at quote. </span><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;">Give us a call, or check out our pricing and information at <a href="http://laveremedia.com/pages/photography/lavere-media-photography.html">getagreatphotographer.com</a>. We think you'll like what you see.<br /></p>LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-43124683978977348502010-01-13T11:44:00.000-08:002010-01-13T11:50:49.434-08:00February's Most Important HolidayIn honor of Groundhog Day—the only holiday that celebrates an animal—LaVere Media is offering specials on our great pet photography packages. We already offer the best value in pet photography in the area, and these specials make our great pricing and exceptional service even better!<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">Special #1: 10% Donation to SPCA<br /></span></b><br />During the months of January and February, we're donating 10% of all proceeds from Pet Photography sessions to the Chemung County NY SPCA. Get your pet photographed and contribute to a great cause at the same time!<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">Special #2: Free Softcover Photo Book</span></b><br /><br />When you purchase a pet photo session in January or February, you'll get a free 20-page softcover book with photos from your session! You can also upgrade to a hardcover book and a range of options. The book is absolutely free with your level 2 package! Click Here for pricing...opens in new window)<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;"><b>Special #3: Groundhog Day Gift Certificates</b></span><br /><br />Are you celebrating Groundhog Day and don't know what to get that special someone? Why not a LaVere Media Gift Certificate? We're offering special pricing on a portrait session you can use for yourself, a loved one, or that special Groundhog in your life! <a href="http://www.laveremedia.com/orders/photography-specials.html">Use the link on our "specials" page to order today</a>. We'll even gift-wrap it for you.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-55533141327100173072009-12-04T06:38:00.000-08:002009-12-04T06:51:13.236-08:00What's That Price Again?Recently, a customer booked us for a portrait shoot after investigating several alternatives, including photography at a well-known department store and another big-box retailer.<br /><br />We've all seen the photography specials at these stores; they promise dozens of portraits at a ridiculously low price. In fact, the price they offer is often below our actual printing cost for the same amount of portraits.<br /><br />If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And in this case, that's exactly what our client found.<br /><br />First, she was limited to a single pose. That wasn't going to work for her; she had three children that she wanted in individual poses, she wanted a family shot, a photo of her and her sister, a photo of her parents, and a large group shot. Oh, and could she include her pets?<br /><br />Wow.<br /><br />The single pose was out of the question.<br /><br />She wanted multiple prints of those multiple poses. But at the department store, she was limited to prints from a single pose without incurring extra costs. And to top it all off, she was limited to a small number of poses per session.<br /><br />The big-box retailer seemed to offer a good price and selection, until she asked if she could buy the rights to use the photos on her own. That price alone pushed her simple package above the cost of ours.<br /><br />In the end, she became our client because we were not only cost-competitive, but for what she was looking for, we were actually cheaper. Her final package included a one-hour photo session, well over a dozen different poses, over 100 4x6 proofs, a copyright release for all her photos, and all her pictures on a CD-ROM. She can place orders directly from us, through a secure website, she can print them at home, or use her favorite photo processor.<br /><br />Just as important to our client was the service she received, and the individual attention. Working with two dogs, three children and four adults is a challenge, but one we took on willingly and with a lot of fun. She wasn't pushed through on a schedule, and we took the time to give her a great experience.<br /><br />That's the difference between having your portrait taken at our studio versus the store where you bought your lawnmower. Give us a call, and <a href="http://laveremedia.com/pages/photography/lavere-media-photography.html">compare our pricing</a>. We're sure we'll see you soon when you do.LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-23906260343200182612009-08-08T14:29:00.001-07:002009-08-08T14:31:15.444-07:00Pet PhotographyOur newest YouTube video features highlights from some of the pets we've photographed at LaVere Media. Remember: We'll come to your home, or you can bring your pet to our studio. Either way, we love working with our furry friends. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><object width="400" height="324"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7jCHiv03Flo&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7jCHiv03Flo&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="324"></embed></object>LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-32670476047344940442009-05-05T07:32:00.001-07:002009-05-05T07:35:31.557-07:00Building Community With Social Media<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">Note: This article was originally intended for publication in the Elmira Star-Gazette's "Twin Tiers Business" publication. That publication is no longer being published, so the article is presented here instead.</span></span><br /><br /></span>When discussing social media websites with people who haven't used them or haven't been exposed to them, the question I'm most often asked is some variant of "what's the point?" It's often phrased as: "Why do I need to know if someone's going to the grocery store"?<br /><br />I don't always have an answer at the ready—or at least I didn't until recent news events made it painfully clear how these websites are changing the face of how we communicate and connect with each other. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Anyone who doesn't "get" what the new social media is all about would be wise to learn from what happened on April 3, 2009</span>.<br /><br />On that day, a gunman entered the American Civic Association building on Binghamton NY's Front Street and opened fire on the occupants, ultimately killing 13 and injuring four more before turning his gun on himself. The news was horrific, unexpected for a small quiet town like Binghamton, and the news spread quickly over social networking sites across the Internet.<br /><br />That afternoon, an e-mail alert arrived from a Facebook friend: "I have to find out what is happening in Binghamton - something about 4 dead and a dozen wounded after gun fire. Doesn't sound good." I immediately went to Google News, where it was the lead story. What happened next illustrates both the positive and negative aspects of the immediacy of the Internet.<br /><br />I checked Twitter's search page, where "Binghamton" was the top trending subject, meaning that people were currently searching for "Binghamton" more than any other keyword. From there, I followed the entire life cycle of the story that afternoon.<br /><br />Twitter updates came in at the rate of hundreds every minute. Information and misinformation alike spread at unprecedented speed. From the Twitter page, I followed links to the CNN website, which featured local live news broadcasts. Another link led me to a broadcast of Binghamton police scanners. <span style="font-weight: bold;">For a few hours that afternoon, my regular work came to a screeching halt</span> as I clicked my way through various online news sources to try to answer the questions of "What happened?" "What is happening?" and "What's going to happen?".<br /><br />Slowly but surely, a pattern emerged. A new piece of the puzzle would appear as a Twitter update, which was often ahead of the traditional media, but unconfirmed. It would be repeated several times, then a link would appear to an "official" news source that would either confirm or the rumor, or simply repeat it. Sorting through it all became a difficult yet fascinating exercise.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ultimately, however, it showed the power of community</span>. For a while, it seemed as though everyone on Twitter was either from Binghamton, or had a personal connection to the city. Shock was expressed. Stories were shared. Condolences were offered. Offers of assistance poured in. The idea of an Internet as a "global village" became more than an abstract idea-it became real.<br /><br />So now when someone asks, "What's the point?" I have a ready answer. It's about community.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-39158466786142856962009-03-27T10:09:00.000-07:002009-03-27T11:16:24.838-07:00The Bird ShowIn addition to my regular duties at LaVere Media, I also dabble in more personal creative pursuits, and recently decided to take the plunge and submit an original photo-illustration for consideration in an upcoming gallery exhibit in Corning, NY.<br /><br />Today, I received notification that my work, titled "Free as a Bird" was selected for inclusion in the show.<br /><br />This is a first for me, and I couldn't me more thrilled. The exhibit opens Thursday, April 2; more information is available at the website for the <a href="http://www.earts.org/index.asp?pageID=38&nid=132">ARTS Council of the Southern Tier</a>.<br /><br />Hope to see you at the opening on Thursday, or stop by when you're in the area.LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-6723116869508339842009-03-16T04:47:00.001-07:002009-03-16T04:48:20.512-07:00FeatureLaVere Media was featured in The Sunday, March 15 edition of the Elmira Star-Gazette.<br /><br />Check out the <a href="http://www.stargazette.com/article/20090315/COLUMNIST01/903150320/1003/BUSINESS">full article here</a>.LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-89138361562104270482009-03-11T08:36:00.000-07:002009-03-11T08:42:07.765-07:00Wedding Video HighlightAs part of LaVere Media's "Deluxe" wedding video package, we include a highlight video of the day's events. It's an overview of the much longer video of the day.<br /><br />This is one of my favorites. The wedding was held at the library of <a href="http://www.elmira.edu/">Elmira College</a>, and the reception was at the <a href="http://www.elmiracountryclub.com/html/home.html">Elmira Country Club</a>. A great couple, and a great day.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="267"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1405688&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1405688&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="267"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/1405688">Wedding Video Highlights</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user630782">LaVere Media</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-18604576318079522802009-02-12T10:34:00.000-08:002009-02-12T10:43:29.721-08:00Doggone NiceWe love hearing from satisfied clients, and we're particularly happy when we get a handwritten note from one of them.<br /><br />Today's mail takes the cake. Regular readers of this blog will remember <a href="http://getagreatphotographer.blogspot.com/2009/01/pet-photo-shoot.html">Suze</a>:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlXFKAEmBoCpYYOXSfaWemurjuB8mbqzx6iYt4QG416TdzT3Nc7UISSK-SsIWJfDAxlrQnnElTB5W9SS_4VA9AD_5l9uyxsCck_MIc0qIaBrKXcnG0vYyHkU5oZQQXCxwPe6igcVygEgj/s1600-h/SUZE-TY.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlXFKAEmBoCpYYOXSfaWemurjuB8mbqzx6iYt4QG416TdzT3Nc7UISSK-SsIWJfDAxlrQnnElTB5W9SS_4VA9AD_5l9uyxsCck_MIc0qIaBrKXcnG0vYyHkU5oZQQXCxwPe6igcVygEgj/s320/SUZE-TY.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301982871916898194" border="0" /></a><br />We filled an order for prints of Suze for Valentine's day, and today the following note came in the mail:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLbEnL2qYQWiOzHxsZq5FDfXWXAEKRcPqEgdhKZbkF2CvMsR6IcnuekgCNPIA6WfGtGrd-qkNJsqtacbMgb6tkfYLEffmV1SSoPyaGkaB0yOGnTCFlRzgK8gpAhVqERypdt-lV-KtSbNp/s1600-h/suze.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLbEnL2qYQWiOzHxsZq5FDfXWXAEKRcPqEgdhKZbkF2CvMsR6IcnuekgCNPIA6WfGtGrd-qkNJsqtacbMgb6tkfYLEffmV1SSoPyaGkaB0yOGnTCFlRzgK8gpAhVqERypdt-lV-KtSbNp/s400/suze.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301982059274313266" border="0" /></a><br />You're welcome, Suze! Happy Valentine's day!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Today's Question: What's the best thank-you note you ever received?</span></span>LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-19962451912718501722009-01-28T12:07:00.000-08:002009-01-28T12:11:07.983-08:00New AdA look at the new ad we're running starting this week:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uyrqnWoUbBOTwsxzTXYxb83GmqBoR98n55oxyWYig1ol52k6suMmRX0J40do9X0zM6d4Rqy5KnskPkaJRaI8_FF0sETGP-lGcaPgr06t6NjhBnc6clVcWVh4Z6woaePjmoBQlRAI4ur0/s1600-h/SHADPET.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uyrqnWoUbBOTwsxzTXYxb83GmqBoR98n55oxyWYig1ol52k6suMmRX0J40do9X0zM6d4Rqy5KnskPkaJRaI8_FF0sETGP-lGcaPgr06t6NjhBnc6clVcWVh4Z6woaePjmoBQlRAI4ur0/s400/SHADPET.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296439399174237714" border="0" /></a>LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-25557474375843149402009-01-23T12:09:00.000-08:002009-01-23T12:11:03.282-08:00Pet Photos: SuzeThe complete set of photos from last month's pet photography shoot with "Suze" are now available for viewing (and ordering) <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/pro/RLaVere/Suze">on our Shutterfly page</a>.<br /><br />As always, your comments and feedback are appreciated!LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-38451951837365637252009-01-21T10:22:00.000-08:002009-01-21T10:30:52.347-08:00Social MediaThe first in a series of columns on Social Media was published by the <a href="http://www.stargazette.com/">Elmira Star-Gazette</a> in their "Twin Tiers Business" publication. A special thanks to <a href="http://www.inpursuitofbusiness.com/">Peter Wallin</a> for giving me the lead that got this particular ball rolling.<div><br /></div><div>Here are a few highlights from the article:</div><div><br /><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">In the first wave of the Internet, companies created and promoted simple websites to drive people to their business. Today, businesses use tools to drive people to increasingly complex and informative websites. The days of creating a website and hoping people find it amidst the overwhelming number of similar sites are over.<br /><br />As audiences move away from traditional media outlets, they are increasingly moving towards social media as a means of gathering new information and informing themselves.<br /><br />As a result, your competition is probably already using social media in some form. Your customers definitely are. Facebook is part of the social fabric. Sites such as vimeo and YouTube allow individuals and businesses to distribute video to customers for free. If you haven’t heard of “twitter”(a site where people share brief updates about what they’re doing with lists of online friends), your kids definitely have.<br /><br />Smart businesses embrace these tools as low-cost or free alternatives to paid searches, expensive and difficult-to-manage search engine optimization, and slow-moving forms of information distribution that often reach the wrong audience with a “shotgun” approach.</span></blockquote><br /></div><div>If you don't get the Twin Tiers Business publication, drop me a line and I'll be happy to send you a copy. You can also call the Star-Gazette at (607) 734-5151 and get added to the distribution list for this free publication.</div>LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-30405242583570883072009-01-08T07:28:00.001-08:002009-01-08T08:01:46.216-08:00A Race To The Bottom?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPiqpLHUQ8qDOOp1Lp99EBePdk9W37O6wZHYGPlb-V3Ngk4e7Pte7IX9MI8TyT6sh_Dlrm_4HUYuH41L-xxytSa3ahOCr4aN1Re7vUQ3zf554ml3a8BROicjQq9xudLj1r6C4okn1hyyk/s1600-h/exquisite-photography.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPiqpLHUQ8qDOOp1Lp99EBePdk9W37O6wZHYGPlb-V3Ngk4e7Pte7IX9MI8TyT6sh_Dlrm_4HUYuH41L-xxytSa3ahOCr4aN1Re7vUQ3zf554ml3a8BROicjQq9xudLj1r6C4okn1hyyk/s400/exquisite-photography.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288948719183348818" border="0" /></a><br />With the economy limping along over the last few months, people are looking to cut corners wherever they can. Photography services are no different. What we've noticed in the past few months is a "race to the bottom", with photographers cutting services, scaling back packages, and offering less...for less.<br /><br />There's also a new phenomenon—plenty of people with inexpensive Digital SLRs are offering photography services at rock-bottom prices, often before they have the experience or the knowledge to offer quality services.<br /><br />We think this is a mistake.<br /><br />This weekend, LaVere Media will attend the <a href="http://www.arnotmall.com/">Arnot Mall Bridal Expo in Big Flats, NY</a>. We'll be competing with many photographers...some new, some old, and at a variety of price points. While we recognize the need to save money during difficult economic times, we also recognize that 20 years from now, when you're looking at your wedding album with your family, a substandard set of photos won't make up for the few dollars you saved in hiring the equivalent of "Uncle Bob with a camera". We don't believe you need to go overboard, but there is such thing as cutting back too far. We often talk about the temporary nature of what goes into a wedding—the cake gets eaten, the flowers wilt, the dress gets put in storage. How do you share the memories of that day? Through photographs and video.<br /><br />With that in mind, we've <a href="http://laveremedia.com/pages/photography/index.html">re-worked our photography packages</a> to reflect the realities of the current economy, while offering what we believe is the best combination of quality and price in the region.<br /><br />So here's our pitch:<br /><br />We offer quality photography and video services at a very reasonable price. We offer a basic "digital-only" package, but we don't just shoot the photos and dump them on a DVD. Each photo is reviewed, color-corrected and edited if necessary, and provided to you at high resolution. We offer upper-tier packages with options for albums, proofs, reprints...all at very reasonable prices with quick turnaround.<br /><br />We <span style="font-weight: bold;">never</span> impose a time limit on our services. When you hire LaVere Media, we're there all day—no matter which package you purchase. We always send two experienced photographers, which lets us shoot in different locations simultaneously. We attend your rehearsal. We generally shoot between 1500 and 2000 photos per wedding. We offer a video option with every photo package, and our video-only packages are the most competitive in the area.<br /><br />At LaVere Media, we don't compromise personal service or quality for price. There will always be someone with a lower price; that's just the nature of a competitive business. We think it's more important to find a photographer that you can work with, who you want to spend your entire day with, and who will offer great service at a great price. We've been photographing and videotaping weddings and special events for over 20 years, and we believe that once you give us a look, you'll like what you see.<br /><br />Stop by this weekend, or give us a call. We'd love to talk with you.LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-32370886259231445472009-01-02T10:02:00.000-08:002009-01-02T10:11:35.283-08:00Pet Photo ShootWhen you've got a subject as cute as Suze, you can't help but share the photos:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_6dZtgfSitMqlBi-nLdTg3IISNNRUV01bUnQUe0WgqIhgAIeLHtxIW0HGd2OEUz46s03OVkiaLTLxMjsm9vAEjgwmnMZFrXy6S_SxZUohc3u4rrnwAdz7rHJA7ZZ81JiOEPagCxTeYtW/s1600-h/SUZE_61.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_6dZtgfSitMqlBi-nLdTg3IISNNRUV01bUnQUe0WgqIhgAIeLHtxIW0HGd2OEUz46s03OVkiaLTLxMjsm9vAEjgwmnMZFrXy6S_SxZUohc3u4rrnwAdz7rHJA7ZZ81JiOEPagCxTeYtW/s320/SUZE_61.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286760525270309826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSgqT1BmJiEGZFTcG8eNg192KlsQ7CxAa7jzRXGcwKvlmBVsHB0eWqBm5lTLkdBCxj0VG_IGXqnhOSc6I4QhEz9-c5G6crpbBe2EXcG_F072rlnh07O33CjmcpgNO0AnN-QLNErzmqUcK/s1600-h/SUZE_39.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSgqT1BmJiEGZFTcG8eNg192KlsQ7CxAa7jzRXGcwKvlmBVsHB0eWqBm5lTLkdBCxj0VG_IGXqnhOSc6I4QhEz9-c5G6crpbBe2EXcG_F072rlnh07O33CjmcpgNO0AnN-QLNErzmqUcK/s320/SUZE_39.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286760512514507938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe08a93MKAcA-T9Rm7WXSmtZ8uKTirhjuHVqUBCJO12-U6fZ7cBZl8eV7nOf_MGZGyt3H1bDDh5P_4Uaw8uqEeU5fuYMjRePQWmjviWsKeu0qcTBz_z1y4tguXIs5G__LsE0WZY5Z4dhPu/s1600-h/SUZE_70.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe08a93MKAcA-T9Rm7WXSmtZ8uKTirhjuHVqUBCJO12-U6fZ7cBZl8eV7nOf_MGZGyt3H1bDDh5P_4Uaw8uqEeU5fuYMjRePQWmjviWsKeu0qcTBz_z1y4tguXIs5G__LsE0WZY5Z4dhPu/s320/SUZE_70.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286760526251168818" border="0" /></a><br /><br />For more information about pet photography from LaVere Media, <a href="mailto:info@laveremedia.com">e-mail us</a>.LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-71788217788483764212008-12-29T13:15:00.000-08:002008-12-29T13:30:17.690-08:00John and Ashley's Love Story Video SessionWhat a whirlwind!<br /><br />On Friday (the day after Christmas), we videotaped the "Love Story" interview for John and Ashley, who got married the very next day. The couple flew in from Florida, and graciously sat for the last-minute interview.<br /><br />The "Love Story" is a section of the video where we interview the bride and groom separately, then together, asking questions about how they met, what their likes and dislikes are, and then we interview them together at the end (a' la "When Harry Met Sally") to finish off the segment.<br /><br />Normally, these interview segments are interspersed with shots of the couple in some of their favorite locations, walking hand-in-hand, etc. But due to our compressed deadline (they live out of <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXin9W1nXljpk0FttE_nRrpd7T04_pFCQkYUeMp7ze7hOThaDZtpkY1GZCM62Y1uYpy8bS4mwkjKUb-mg9RmfxhjNLlOj-NRvHxypyOxqnw_xQ10r9iNCuPE4neKg0yZXIaJiYliXDplY/s1600-h/IMG_3029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXin9W1nXljpk0FttE_nRrpd7T04_pFCQkYUeMp7ze7hOThaDZtpkY1GZCM62Y1uYpy8bS4mwkjKUb-mg9RmfxhjNLlOj-NRvHxypyOxqnw_xQ10r9iNCuPE4neKg0yZXIaJiYliXDplY/s320/IMG_3029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285326643409808434" border="0" /></a>town and the wedding was the next day), the interview segments will be supplemented with still photos and text. Still, we can't wait to show them the results.<br /><br />John and Ashley were great sports for the interview, and while I can't give anything away just yet (after all...they haven't seen the footage), I can tell you that they were a joy to work with, and their stories are great. John in particular made a comment that's sure to elicit a tear from anyone who sees it.<br /><br />The next day, we spent a total of 14 hours from start to finish with John and Ashley, beginning with a hairstyling session at Ashley's parents, a trip to the wedding venue (historic Hamilton Hall on the campus of Elmira College), then on to Sayre, PA for the reception. What a day!<br /><br />For more information about weddings from LaVere Media, contact us at <a href="mailto:info@laveremedia.com">info@laveremedia.com</a> or <a href="http://www.getagreatvideo.com/">visit our website</a>.LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-44805796501802262242008-12-13T08:24:00.000-08:002008-12-13T08:27:52.490-08:00WinterTen inches of snow, treacherous driving conditions, no school...and the photographer drives up a mountain to take pictures!<br /><br />It's what I do, y'all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdFdIAnD9SsTuIKbvaoQVvG7xD2zSVKm8MA93QxXGkWRPU7Uxt1kAY1hono6ANT6AxIpqqKwKXGjenQjzre21OwmR0d0hqy3dRCnW4MVOeqsQjEfNYAHpYg0MS2lIT2JqJUEAPiUOa1pj/s1600-h/IMG_3020+-+Version+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdFdIAnD9SsTuIKbvaoQVvG7xD2zSVKm8MA93QxXGkWRPU7Uxt1kAY1hono6ANT6AxIpqqKwKXGjenQjzre21OwmR0d0hqy3dRCnW4MVOeqsQjEfNYAHpYg0MS2lIT2JqJUEAPiUOa1pj/s400/IMG_3020+-+Version+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279311745888227202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWMkZvCA9K19pyHS2HT7GA4NRWGpWlW4CfXXDUGl9PxWxQACk_am_32GIK3AaJLRWLdynO1TH9J30FbXh2Ldv45qt_5cN1tV3DZb0t8EZWVtoRXgmvtDLj7Tzd0u_bo7dEV12UYD_rGIB/s1600-h/IMG_3014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWMkZvCA9K19pyHS2HT7GA4NRWGpWlW4CfXXDUGl9PxWxQACk_am_32GIK3AaJLRWLdynO1TH9J30FbXh2Ldv45qt_5cN1tV3DZb0t8EZWVtoRXgmvtDLj7Tzd0u_bo7dEV12UYD_rGIB/s400/IMG_3014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279311748874134274" border="0" /></a>LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-35065511590322021582008-11-20T04:51:00.000-08:002008-11-20T04:52:20.674-08:00Creating a Holiday Home Movie<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This information is reprinted from an article first published on <a href="http://www.helium.com/items/552593-how-to-make-a-holiday-home-movie">Helium.com</a> by Rich LaVere of <a href="http://www.laveremedia.com/">LaVere Media.</a></span></span><br /><p>One of the primary functions of my business is to transfer old 8mm film movies to modern formats such as DVD. As such, I've viewed hundreds of these movies, many of them holiday films. Some are engaging and exciting while others are nearly unwatchable.</p> <p>So what separates the good from the bad? Storytelling and technique.</p> <p>The best movies use the time they have to tell a story. There's the preparation. The anticipation. The event itself. The aftermath. If a stranger such as myself can be engaged by the story you're telling, you've done your job well. It's important that your audience care about your subject. In this case, the audience is your family both now and for generations to come. They'll watch this movie to get insight into your personality and your life for many years. Make it worth their time.</p><div class="googleArticleAd"><script language="JavaScript1.1" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-8925353227623969&dt=1227185205675&lmt=1227185203&prev_fmts=120x600_as&num_ads=3&output=js&correlator=1227185204956&channel=001%2B0114251787%2B086&pv_ch=001%2B0114251787%2B&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.helium.com%2Fitems%2F552593-how-to-make-a-holiday-home-movie&color_bg=FFFFFF&color_text=000000&color_link=000066&color_url=666666&color_border=FFFFFF&ad_type=text_image&image_size=300x250&feedback_link=on&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dlavere%2Bhelium%26ie%3Dutf-8%26oe%3Dutf-8%26aq%3Dt%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial%26client%3Dfirefox-a&cc=100&ga_vid=1113265695.1227185205&ga_sid=1227185205&ga_hid=2053525164&flash=9&u_h=900&u_w=1440&u_ah=874&u_aw=1440&u_cd=24&u_tz=-300&u_his=13&u_java=true&u_nplug=8&u_nmime=97"></script> </div> <p>An example would be a Christmas video. You might start with the trimming of the tree. Family members could reminisce about special ornaments, the time the tree collapsed in the living room, or the year the cat climbed to the top! You get the idea.</p> <p>Some shots of wrapping gifts and placing them under the tree will be a delight to folks who received those gifts, and now see the care that was taken in preparing them. </p> <p>In the case of a Christmas video, you might want to include shots of special decorations around the house, the "milk and cookies" left for Santa Claus, or any other unique family traditions that give an insight into your unique methods of celebrating the holiday.</p> <p>During the celebration itself, don't allow the camera to be the focus of attention. If you have small children, for example, a camera in their face while they're experiencing the initial excitement of opening gifts only detracts from the event. Mounting the camera inconspicuously on a tripod in the corner is a good way to start. Then, take it down later and shoot plenty of close-ups of gifts, interviews with your family, etc.</p> <p>Don't forget the importance of good technique when shooting your home movie. Keep your camera steady by moving in close and shooting at a wide angle. Shooting from a distance while fully zoomed in will make your videos shaky and induce dizziness. Use a tripod whenever practical, particularly outdoors when you're more tempted to use that zoom.</p> <p>And most importantly: have fun! Your holiday home movie will be its very best when it reflects your unique personality and the joy of the celebration itself. Let it serve as a wonderful reminder of a very special moment.</p> <p>I never tire of viewing those decades-old family movies that my customers lovingly bring to me to be transferred. I love the stories they tell, and the joy they bring to a generation that experiences its history in a whole new way. Use these tips to tell YOUR story, and help bring that joy to your family for many years to come.</p> <!-- google_ad_section_end(name=main) --> <strong></strong>LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-21091584076125350412008-11-17T07:46:00.000-08:002008-11-17T07:48:07.577-08:00I Recorded a DVD...And Now It Won't Play!"Why can't I play back what I recorded on my DVD?"<br /><br />A customer recently came in to our studio with a DVD that he had burned on a home DVD recorder. It played fine at home, but when he took it to his son's house, the DVD refused to play at all. He brought it to us, asking if we could help him solve the mystery of the quirky DVD.<br /><br />With a few questions, we were able to quickly diagnose the problem. All home DVD recorders save video to the DVD in "stages". The first stage is preparation, where the DVD recorder reads the disc, determines if it's compatible, and prepares it to accept video.<br /><br />In the second stage, the video is compressed and recorded to the disc. At this point, when you're done recording, you can view the video you've recorded, and even add more video later.<br /><br />The third step is known as "finalizing". This is the crucial step that our customer missed, and it's really the most important. "Finalizing" prepares your DVD for playback on virtually any commercial DVD player. If you don't perform this step, you will only be able to play back your DVD on the unit you recorded it on. This means that if you skip this step, and your DVD recorder stops working, your collection of DVDs will not play on any other unit.<br /><br />This "finalizing" step is one that many of our customers miss. We're very concerned about what this means for all those valuable memories stored on DVDs in homes across the country. Eventually, those DVD recorders will fail; it's a mathematical certainty. When-not if-they do, those priceless DVDs will become expensive coasters if the "finalizing" step has not been performed.<br /><br />It's also important to note that "finalizing" a DVD is only possible using the recorder that captured the video. You can't record on one unit and "finalize" on another (unless you're lucky enough to find the exact same unit somewhere else).<br /><br />If you have a home DVD recorder, and you're not sure if you're using it properly, <a href="http://www.laveremedia.com/">contact us</a>. We can often help guide you through this complicated new world of technology.LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6611030996694624209.post-15255136053517089632008-10-17T07:37:00.000-07:002008-11-17T07:42:59.478-08:00Because Pets Are Family, Too!How do you get a dog to say "cheese"?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6vsm5Wu6_Sk6DXJovhlbQplEy9dRgfGEYhWAfG45XDMeg0GJ1xsvhcos2TbQgyTaEAjubvVLlnJPG9DkbvnAAvGD3jWze7x8UryMFLW7E7uj6lYqSONGRfD0MDXEQubH5Rte1AkzXrfJ/s1600-h/ChocoLab+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6vsm5Wu6_Sk6DXJovhlbQplEy9dRgfGEYhWAfG45XDMeg0GJ1xsvhcos2TbQgyTaEAjubvVLlnJPG9DkbvnAAvGD3jWze7x8UryMFLW7E7uj6lYqSONGRfD0MDXEQubH5Rte1AkzXrfJ/s400/ChocoLab+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269652168911695266" border="0" /></a><br />This month, LaVere Media attended the Inaugural Pet Expo, held at <a href="http://www.firstarena.com/">Elmira's First Arena</a>.<br /><br />We displayed a variety of pet portraits, ranging from dachshunds to cats, to a Chocolate Lab posed with a bottle of...you guessed it! "Chocolate Lab" wine.<br /><br />The most common question we received was, "how do you get the dogs to sit still long enough to take their picture?" Well, without giving away too many trade secrets, let's just say "it's an illusion". Patience is a virtue! Remember that a photograph is just a fraction of a second's snippet of time. There's a reason we're not selling animal VIDEOS!<br /><br />We think you'll be impressed with our puppy photos, our collection of cats, our...<br /><br />Well, you get the idea. <a href="http://www.laveremedia.com/">Visit our website</a> to view a sampling of our furry friends.LaVere Mediahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203528892105799254noreply@blogger.com0